8th Grade Academy Grading Survey

Dear Central Academy 8th graders and families,

Hello, friends!  I hope you are doing well!  I know you’ve been waiting patiently as we phase in our remote learning for this semester after our schools were closed due to the Coronavirus. Seniors started this week (April 13), High school students start next week (April 20). Elementary and middle school students start April 27th.

Central Academy 8th graders start April 23. All the courses that 8th graders take at Central Academy are for high school credit. So, they need time to complete any missing course work the same as other high school students.  However, the distribution of devices for middle school students happens on April 22. We need to ensure that all students can access the materials and resources we are providing. Also, since my teachers are working with high school students, too, they need time to transition to remote learning for all their classes. Academy 8th graders take 3 high school classes, not a full load of seven, so April 23 should be ample time for students and still give teachers time to prepare.

Will you please help us out by letting us know how you want to proceed in each of your classes?

8th Grade Academy Grading Survey

This survey has two purposes: 1) it let’s us know if we are able to reach you through this communication. If we don’t hear from you, we’ll keep trying to reach you in different ways.  2) it let’s us know how you want to conclude the semester so we know the best way to support you.

You have four options to choose from for each of your Academy classes:

  1. Take your earned grade (listed as In-Progress in Infinite Campus) for the course.  If you are happy with your current grade, you may decide to take your earned letter grade.
    • How will this impact my high school transcript? Your earned letter grade will be added to your transcript.
    • Will I earn credit for the course? Yes, if you pass the course by earning a D or higher.
    • Will my grade count towards my GPA? Yes, your earned letter grade will be included in your high school GPA calculation.
    • May I move onto the next sequential course in a course pathway in 9th grade? Yes, you may move on to the next sequential course in a course pathway with this option, if you pass the course (D or higher).
  2. ​Work with your teacher to improve your grade by showing improvement on content that was taught BEFORE March 13th.
    • How will this impact my high school transcript? After submitting additional work on material that was taught before break, your teacher will update your grade accordingly. Your earned letter grade will be added to your transcript.
    • Will I earn credit for the course? Yes, if you pass the course by earning a D or higher.
    • Will my grade count towards my GPA? Yes, your earned letter grade will be included in your high school GPA calculation.
    • May I move onto the next sequential course in a course pathway in 9th grade? Yes, you may move on to the next sequential course in a course pathway with this option, if you pass the course (D or higher)
  3. Take your grade as Pass/No Pass  ​If you want to earn credit for the course but do not want your earned letter grade to be included in your high school GPA, you can choose to take the course as a Pass/No Pass option. This means that instead of earning a traditional letter grade (A, B, C, D) on your high school transcript, you would get a P for Pass or NP for No Pass.
    • How will this impact my high school transcript? If you earn a passing grade in the course, meaning a D or higher, you will get a “P” (Pass) on your high school transcript.
    • Will I earn credit for the course? Yes, you will earn credit for the course.
    • Will my grade count towards my GPA? No, it will not be included in your high school GPA.
    • May I move onto the next sequential course in a course
      pathway in 9th grade?       Yes, you may move on to the next sequential course in a course pathway with this option, if you pass the course (equivalent to a D or higher).
  4. ​Withdraw from the course entirely.  If you choose to withdraw from the course entirely, you are deciding not to complete the course and will not earn any credit. This may impact your ability to move on to the courses that you have requested to take for your 9th grade schedule.
    • How will this impact my high school transcript? You will get a “W” (withdrawal) on your high school transcript.
    • Will I earn credit for the course? No, you will not earn any credit for the course and will need to take it again in 9th grade.
    • Will my grade count towards my GPA? No, it will not be included in your high school GPA.
    • May I move onto the next sequential course in a course
      pathway in 9th grade?        No, if you withdraw from the course, it means you are not completing it.You will need to repeat the course before moving on to the next level course in the pathway.

If you are not sure which option would be best for you, talk to your teacher by email first.You can also speak with Kris Hilton, Academy Counselor or Stephanie Davis, GT consultant.

Normally, we like students to earn A’s and B’s in their Academy courses to continue in accelerated course work the following year. This semester is anything but normal. We will be flexible, recognizing that all of our students will be starting 9th grade with a big gap from 8th grade. If you are worried or uncertain about continuing at Academy, please reach out to your teachers and/or our counselor or GT Consultant, before you decide to leave us! Let us help you! We would be so dispirited if you ghosted us! (Get it? It’s a pun!)

Finally, I encourage you, if you are able, to try some of the enrichment opportunities the Academy teachers will offer. Right now we’re working on grades. But in a few weeks, most of those concerns will be satisfied and we’ll be learning for the fun of it!

Be well!  There is so much more to come!

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